Group art therapy combined with exercise for adults with chronic low back pain
Official title: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Exploring the Use of Supervised Group Art Therapy Among Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain: Feasibility, Potential Efficacy, and Participant Experiences
Run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · NCT07141069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try supervised group art therapy together with exercise to see if it reduces pain and improves function and quality of life for adults aged 18–59 with chronic low back pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 59 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong, Hong Kong and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 16, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 26, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07141069 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 to 59 with non-specific low back pain lasting at least three months who have previously sought medical care and can read and write Traditional Chinese are the ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with lumbar spinal stenosis, confirmed dementia or severe cognitive impairment, serious major medical or psychiatric disorders, or those already receiving physiotherapy or psychological treatments are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized controlled trial in Hong Kong tests a supervised group-based art therapy program delivered alongside exercise for adults with non-specific chronic low back pain. The study's main aim is to determine feasibility metrics such as recruitment, retention, and adherence and to identify logistical challenges in delivering the intervention. Researchers will collect preliminary quantitative outcomes including pain intensity, functional disability, psychological flexibility, and health-related quality of life, and will also conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups to capture participants' lived experiences and barriers to engagement. Results will inform the design of a larger definitive trial of this interdisciplinary, nonpharmacologic approach to chronic pain management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a holistic, nonpharmacologic option that helps reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life for people with chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Expressive art therapies have shown small benefits for coping and psychological outcomes in some chronic pain contexts, but robust randomized evidence specifically combining art therapy with exercise for CLBP is limited and this approach remains relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * aged 18 years to 59 years old * currently experiencing non-specific low back pain for at least three months * who have sought medical treatment for CLBP * can read and write in Traditional Chinese Exclusion Criteria: * lumbar spinal stenosis * confirmed dementia * severe cognitive impairment * serious major medical or psychiatric disorders * currently receiving physiotherapy, cognitive therapy, or psychological treatments
Where it's running
-
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting -
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Fadi MQ Al Zoubi, PhD
- Email: fadi.alzoubi@polyu.edu.hk
- Phone: 852-2766-6705
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.